Loudspeaker mounting

ABSTRACT

A transducer for mounting in an opening (90) defined in a baffle (84) includes an axis and a frame (10) for supporting the remaining transducer components in the baffle (84). The frame (10) includes at least a first finger (40) deflectable toward the transducer axis to permit passage of a portion of the frame (10) through the opening (90). The first finger (40) includes at least one camming surface (52, 54) for resiliently urging the first finger (40) toward the axis as the camming surface (52, 54) of the first finger (40) contacts the baffle (84) adjacent the opening (90) and a locking surface (94) for engaging the baffle (84) adjacent the opening (90) once the camming surface (52, 54) has passed completely through the opening (90).

This invention relates to mounting techniques and apparatus. It isdisclosed in the context of a mounting system for loudspeakers, but isbelieved to be useful in other fields as well.

In diaphragm-type loudspeaker manufacture and assembly, the most commontechnique for mounting the loudspeaker into a baffle is to provide holesaround the perimeter of the speaker frame or "basket" and correspondingholes in the baffle. Fasteners, usually threaded fasteners, are insertedthrough aligned holes in the speaker frame perimeter and baffle to fixthe speaker to the baffle. Typically, an elastomeric gasket having thesame configuration as the perimeter of the frame is positioned betweenthe perimeter and baffle to seal the two together to minimize thelikelihood of relative movement and other phenomena which mightotherwise result in the generation of noise between the frame andbaffle.

This common technique requires the stocking of the fasteners, theprovision of aligned holes in the frame, baffle and elastomeric gasket,and the labor involved in assembly of these components with the holesaligned using the fasteners. Frequently, this assembly is complicated bythe configuration of the space in which the speaker is to be mounted.For example, when the mounting is into the baffle provided by thepackage tray underneath the rear window of an automobile, the fact thatpart of the process is conducted from inside the automobile interior andpart is conducted from the trunk increases the complexity of theoperation and thus the labor cost associated with assembly of thespeaker into the baffle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a transducerprovided with means for fixing the transducer into a baffle in which thetransducer is to be supported. The means for fixing the transducer intothe baffle is so constructed that the transducer snaps into the bafflewithout the need for any fasteners or hardware other than fastenersformed integrally with the transducer.

According to the invention, a transducer for mounting in an openingdefined in a baffle includes an axis and a frame for supporting theremaining transducer components in the baffle. The frame includes atleast a first finger deflectable toward the transducer axis to permitpassage of a portion of the frame through the opening. The first fingerincludes at least one camming surface for resiliently urging the firstfinger toward the axis as the camming surface of the first fingercontacts the baffle adjacent the opening and a locking surface forengaging the baffle adjacent the opening once the camming surface haspassed completely through the opening.

Illustratively, according to the invention, the frame includes asidewall which extends generally parallel with the transducer axis, anda section of the frame sidewall generally perpendicular to the axisdefines a closed plane curve. The closed plane curve can be, forexample, substantially elliptical or substantially circular.

According to an illustrative embodiment, the transducer furthercomprises a first flange extending from the transducer sidewall awayfrom the axis. The first flange extends at least partway around theperimeter of the frame. The first flange includes a first generallyaxially facing surface which faces, and is axially spaced from, thelocking surface of the at least one finger. The axial spacing of thefirst axially facing surface of the first flange from the lockingsurface of the at least one finger is at least as great as the thicknessof the baffle in the region surrounding the opening.

Additionally, according to an illustrative embodiment, the transducercomprises a second flange extending from the transducer sidewall awayfrom the axis. The second flange extends at least partway around theperimeter of the frame. The second flange includes a generally axiallyfacing surface which faces, and is axially spaced from, the axiallyfacing surface of the first flange. The axial spacing of the axiallyfacing surfaces of the first and second flanges is at least as great asthe thickness of the baffle in the region surrounding the opening.

Further according to an illustrative embodiment, the first generallyaxially facing surface of the first flange extends substantiallycompletely around the perimeter of the frame and the generally axiallyfacing surface of the second flange extends no more than halfwaY aroundthe perimeter of the frame.

Further according to an illustrative embodiment, the frame includes asecond finger deflectable toward the transducer axis to permit passageof a portion of the frame through the opening. The second fingerincludes at least one camming surface for resiliently urging the secondfinger toward the axis as the camming surface of the second fingercontacts the baffle adjacent the opening and a locking surface forengaging the baffle adjacent the opening once the camming surface haspassed completely through the opening.

Additionally, according to an illustrative embodiment, the frame furthercomprises a third flange extending from the transducer sidewall awayfrom the axis. The third flange extends at least partwaY around theperimeter of the frame. The third flange lies axially on the oppositeside of the first flange from the second flange. The first flangeincludes a second generally axially facing surface facing in theopposite axial direction from the first generally axially facing surfaceof the first flange. The third flange includes a generally axiallyfacing surface which faces, and is axially spaced from, the secondaxially facing surface of the first flange. The axial spacing of thesecond axially facing surface of the first flange and the axially facingsurface of the third flange is at least as great as the thickness of thebaffle in the region surrounding the opening.

According to an illustrative embodiment, the second generally axiallyfacing surface of the first flange extends substantially completelyaround the perimeter of the frame and the generally axially facingsurface of the third flange extends no more than halfway around theperimeter of the frame.

Illustratively, the locking surfaces of the first and second fingersextend generally radially of the transducer axis and face each otheraxially.

Additionally, according to an illustrative embodiment, the first cammingsurfaces of the first and second fingers extend generally radially ofthe transducer axis but slope somewhat axially. Each of the first andsecond fingers comprises a second camming surface. The second cammingsurfaces of the first and second fingers extend generally axially butslope somewhat radially of the transducer axis.

The invention may best be understood by referring to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom plan view of a transducer incorporating thepresent invention mounted from beneath the rear package tray of anautomobile;

FIG. 2 illustrates a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.1, taken generally along section lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.1, taken generally along section lines 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.1, taken generally along section lines 5--5 of FIG. 1.

Turning now to the drawings, a molded resin or filled resin loudspeakerframe 10 supports a moving coil (not shown) transducer including adiaphragm 12 by mounting the diaphragm 12 from its perimeter 14 (FIGS.2-3) through a compliant suspension including a compliance 16 from asupport 18 provided on the interior 20 of frame 12. The construction ofthe particular transducer illustrated is as described in co-pending U.S.Pat. application Ser. No. 36,566 filed Apr. 8, 1987 and assigned to thesame assignee as this application. As is well known, frame 10 can be inthe general configuration of a right elliptical cylinder or any othersuitable shape instead of the generally right circular cylindricalconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 1. Also as is well known, frame 10 isopen on its forward radiating side 24 and is provided with a pluralityof vents 26 on its rearward side 28, all for purposes well known in theart. In addition to the compliance 16, suspensions for such transducersalso ordinarily include centering spiders which center the voice coilsof such transducers in the transducer air gaps. None of these detailsare illustrated because they do not relate to the present invention.

The generally cylindrical wall 32 of frame 10 is provided with a flange34 which projects radially outwardly from the radially outer surface 36of wall 32. On both the upper 37 (nearer to open end 24) and lower 38(nearer to the vented 26 end 28) sides of flange 34, wall 32 is providedwith axially and perimentrally extending, radially deflectable fingers40. Each finger 40 is integrally formed at one 42 of its perimetrallyopposed ends 42,44 with the cylindrical wall 32 of frame 10. A slot 46at its other end 44, coupled with the resiliency of the material fromwhich the frame 10 is formed, accounts for the radially deflectablecharacteristic of fingers 40.

Each finger 40 includes a radially outwardly projecting lug 50. Each lug50 is provided with two camming surfaces 52, 54. Camming surfaces 52 areprovided on generally axially facing (with respect to generallycylindrical wall 32) surfaces of the lugs 50 on the sides of respectivelugs 50 facing away from flange 34. The camming surface 54 of each lug50 extends generally perimetrally of wall 32 and faces generallyradially outwardly. Fingers 40 are provided generally alongapproximately half 56 (FIG. 1) of the perimeter of wall 32. If the half56 of the perimeter of wall 32 can be thought of as divided roughly inhalf again, the camming surfaces 54 on one quarter 58 of the perimeterslope generally in one direction and the camming surfaces 54 on theother quarter 60 slope generally in the other direction.

The other half 62 of the perimeter of wall 32 is provided with tworadially outwardly projecting flange segments 66, 68 (FIG. 2) aboveflange 34 and two radially outwardly projecting flange segments 70, 72(FIGS. 1-2) below flange 34. Flange segments 66, 68 are separated by,and flange segments 70, 72 are separated by, a connector 80 which isformed integrally with frame 10. Electrical connections are made to thevoice coil (not shown) mounted in frame 10 through connector 80 by knowntechniques.

The installation of the loudspeaker of which frame 10 is a part proceedsas follows. If the speaker is to be installed from the rear side 82 of aspeaker baffle 84, an elastomer gasket 88 having substantially the sameinterior perimetral configuration and size as the outer surface 36 isplaced against the upper side 37 of flange 34. Frame 10 is then tiltedat an angle so that flange segments 66, 68 are presented through theopening 90 in baffle 84. Steady pressure is then exerted against theback side 28 of frame 10 to cam the fingers 40 above flange 34 bycamming surfaces 52 radially inwardly to permit the fingers 40 to passthrough opening 90. Camming surfaces 54 aid in deflecting fingers 40radially inward so that they can pass through opening 90. After fingers40 have passed through opening 90, they snap radially outwardly,capturing frame 10 in baffle 84 through engagement of the flat radiallyextending surfaces 94 of fingers 40 against the front surface 96 ofbaffle 84. The spacing of fingers 40 from flange 34 is such that gasket88 is compressed between front surface 37 of flange 34 and the backsurface 82 of baffle 84 under these conditions.

If the speaker is to be installed from the front of baffle 84, gasket 88is placed against the back side 38 of flange 34, frame 10 is tilted atan angle so that flange segments 70, 72 are presented through opening 90and steady pressure is then applied to the front 24 of frame 10. Thefingers 40 below flange 34 are cammed radially inward by their cammingsurfaces 52, 54 to permit the fingers 40 below flange 34 to pass throughopening 90. These fingers then snap radially outwardly, capturing frame10 in baffle 84. Once again, the spacing of the fingers 40 from flange34 is such as to insure adequate compression of gasket 88 between theflange 34 and baffle 90 to reduce substantially the likelihood ofmechanical noise from the installation, such as rattling of the frame 10against baffle 90.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transducer for mounting in an opening definedin a baffle having a thickness in a region surrounding the opening, thetransducer including an axis and a frame for supporting the transducerin the baffle, the frame including a sidewall defining a perimeter, afirst finger deflectable toward the transducer axis to permit passage ofa portion of the frame through the opening, the first finger includingat least one camming surface for resiliently urging the first fingertoward the axis as the at least one camming surface of the first fingercontacts the baffle adjacent the opening and a locking surface forengaging the baffle adjacent the opening once the at least one cammingsurface of the first finger has passed completely through the opening, afirst flange extending from the sidewall away from the axis, the firstflange extending at least partway around the perimeter of the frame, thefirst flange including a first generally axially facing surface whichfaces, and is axially spaced from, the locking surface of the firstfinger, the axial spacing of the first axially facing surface of thefirst flange from the locking surface of the first finger being at leastas great as the thickness of the baffle in the region surrounding theopening for capturing a portion of the region between the first axiallyfacing surface of the first flange and the locking surface of the firstfinger, and a second flange extending from the sidewall away from theaxis, the second flange extending at least partway around the perimeterof the frame, the second flange including a generally axially facingsurface which faces, and is axially spaced from, the axially facingsurface of the first flange, the axial spacing of the axially facingsurfaces of the first and second flanges being at least as great as thethickness of the baffle in the region surrounding the opening forcapturing a portion of the region between the axially facing surfaces ofthe first and second flanges.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thefirst generally axially facing surface of the first flange extendssubstantially completely around the perimeter of the frame and thegenerally axially facing surface of the second flange extends no morethan halfway around the perimeter of the frame.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the frame further includes a second finger deflectabletoward the transducer axis to permit passage of a portion of the framethrough the opening, the second finger including at least one cammingsurface for resiliently urging the second finger toward the axis as theat least one camming surface of the second finger contacts the baffleadjacent the opening and a locking surface for engaging the baffleadjacent the opening once the at least one camming surface of the secondfinger has passed completely through the opening.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the first flange includes a side adjacent the secondflange and an opposite side from the second flange, the apparatusfurther comprising a third flange extending from the sidewall away fromthe axis, the third flange extending at least partway around theperimeter of the frame, the third flange lying axially on the oppositeside of the first flange from the second flange, the first flangeincluding a second generally axially facing surface facing in theopposite axial direction from the first generally axially facing surfaceof the first flange, the third flange including a generally axiallyfacing surface which faces, and is axially spaced from, the secondaxially facing surface of the first flange, the axial spacing of thesecond axially facing surface of the first flange and the axially facingsurface of the third flange being at least as great as the thickness ofthe baffle in the region surrounding the opening for capturing a portionof the region between the second axially facing surface of the firstflange and the axially facing surface of the third flange.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4 wherein the second generally axially facing surfaceof the first flange extends substantially completely around theperimeter of the frame and the generally axiallY facing surface of thethird flange extends no more than halfway around the perimeter of theframe.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the locking surfaces of thefirst and second fingers extend generally radially of the axis and faceeach other axially.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the firstcamming surfaces of the first and second fingers extend generallyradially of the axis but slope somewhat axially.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein each of the first and second fingers comprises a secondcamming surface, the second camming surfaces of the first and secondfingers extending generally axially but sloping somewhat radially of theaxis.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first flange includes asecond generally axially facing surface, the first flange lying axiallybetween the locking surfaces of the first and second fingers, the firstgenerally axially facing surface of the first flange facing the lockingsurface of the first finger and the second generally axially facingsurface of the first flange facing the locking surface of the secondfinger.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 and further comprising a thirdflange extending from the sidewall away from the axis, the third flangeincluding a generally axially facing surface, the generally axiallyfacing surface of the third flange facing, and being axially spacedfrom, the second generally axially facing surface of the first flange.11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first and second generallyaxially facing surfaces of the first flange extend substantiallycompletely around the perimeter of the frame and the generally axiallyfacing surfaces of the second and third flanges extend no more thanhalfway around the perimeter of the frame.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10wherein the axial spacing of the locking surface of the first finger andthe axially facing surface of the second flange from the first generallyaxially facing surface of the first flange is at least as great as thethickness of the baffle in the region surrounding the opening, and theaxial spacing of the locking surface of the second finger and theaxially facing surface of the third flange from the second generallyaxially facing surface of the first flange is at least as great as thethickness of the baffle in the region surrounding the opening.